Le Grand Louvre

First exhibition of paintings in the world’s most visited museum the Louvre was opened on 1793. But its building was well-known far beyond France, though the edifice was not used with such lofty cultural purposes.

Built in the 12th century, the Louvre used to serve as a fortress, a residential palace and housed art exhibitions of the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres. Fortunately, now there is no need to use famous French landmark as defensive construction. Long ago it became a must-visit point on the map of any fine art lover. Though today we are not going to explore the collection hosted by the Palace, but refer to facts owing to which the museum enjoys its wide popularity. Just imagine: last year a new attendance record was set – almost 9 million people!

The Grande Galerie of the Louvre is the hugest interior corridor in the world. Previously on rainy days the French monarchs stuffed tunnel with rocks and trees, let animals in and... hunt began. Being the exhibition gallery, the corridor is sometimes used by moviemakers. For instance, the lead characters of Bertolucci’s The Dreamers are running through it.

In the 18th century the Louvre got into hard times when nobles moved to Versailles, and the fortress dominating the heart of Paris sank into oblivion. The abandoned edifice remained empty and was falling into ruins as much as 50 years. Everything changed after Napoleon Bonaparte came to power. The Emperor arranged completion and restoration of the building and its objects. As a result, the Louvre changed its name: in the Emperor’s time the fortress was called the Musée Napoléon.

Most rulers seek to modify important historical sites. And, as a rule, their attempts fail. But not in the Louvre case. Many French leaders tried to bring something new to the look of the famous fortress. Construction of the glass pyramid at the entrance was the latest architectural contribution. It appeared quite recently, less than 30 years ago when François Mitterrand was in power. At first glance a copy of the Egyptian star attraction seems to be fairly easy. In fact glass building weighs about 180 tons and has a considerable height of 22 meters.

And some more words about the pyramid. It is surrounded by numerous legends and riddles, although it is only a bit more than 20 years old. Most often it is associated with name of Satan: as the rumour says, the glass panes in the Louvre pyramid number exactly 666, so it was built by the beast. But those particularly superstitious or impressionable shall not worry. One can safely go on a trip since the official number of the panes, fortunately, is 673.

The hall of the Russian culture and art will be opened after 2015. Now it is still a question which exhibits will be chosen for it. Most likely, spiritual patrimony of northern neighbours will be mainly presented by iconography since this very kind of national painting remains the most interesting for foreigners.

The United Arab Emirates decided not to wait for having the hall devoted to their culture. The sheikhs have started building a branch of the Louvre in Abu Dhabi. The most exciting thing is that in 2007 they paid 400 million EUR for franchise.

So, now without any remorse, the Arabs can have their own Louvre. Time will show if it will be the same sumptuous as everything in the UAE.

At the end of 2011 the French art experts raised a scandal: they accused the British company which restored Leonardo da Vinci's The Virgin and Child with St. Anne. Art critics claimed that after the restoration the canvas looked too bright. The British reasonably responded that they did everything exactly according to the information that survived since Leonardo’s time.

During the Second World War, the most famous masterpieces of the Louvre were removed from the Louvre and taken safely to French village. Surely, the Mona Lisa survived the longest journey. During the war this painting has changed as much as 5 addresses. Just see what conspiracy can do!

In addition to the secrets and mysteries of the Mona Lisa, tourists are fond of many Louvre legends. The most popular one is about the ghost of an ancient Egyptian whose mummy was brought to the museum in the early 20th century. The ghost was nicknamed Belphégor (the name of archdemon). The spirit walks at night through the Louvre and hails terrible curses on anyone he meets.

If you do decide to visit the Louvre, and no mysteries and legends frighten you, well, that's great. And while someone may think of the museum as the cheesiest place of Paris, you can be sure of one thing: everyone can find something interesting there. Well, as a last resort, you can always take a picture of the Mona Lisa with your mobile phone and then say confidently And I saw it too!

For many tourists France is mainly Paris with long queues to the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, as well as neighbouring sights with royal chic, or Mediterranean resorts. But OUTLOOK author while travelling through the country decided to go to the north, to Normandy! Our readers are welcome to read series of travel essays about a journey to the Atlantic Ocean by Kornei Gritsyuk, and the story begins with his impressions from the town of Deauville!

Where to look for Clementin, the narrowest hotel in Czech Republic merely 3.28 meters wide, how to chose between Pilsner Urquel, Krušovice and Gambrinus, when to feed gold-colored carps and why tram 91 has no peer? Elvira Matrosova learned about these and more. And despite the fact that this city stands on Vltava (Wilth-ahwa – literally means Wild water), it is aristocratic, consistent and calm yet far from Puritanism. Aroma of hop, buns and coffee all around is an unmistakable sign of Prague being glad to indulge all touristic weaknesses of yours – so get ready!

Thanks to the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Ukraine and personally Ambassador extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Alisher Abdualiev OUTLOOK was lucky enough to visit this hospitable country. And today we will tell about a unique place - the Mausoleum of the prominent military leader and political figure of Amir Temur.

The most recognizable brand in the world and one of the oldest in France, Louis Vuitton is a symbol of luxury, elitism and aristocracy. It all began with high-quality suitcases, then proceeded to various kinds of bags and nowadays the brand produces everything: women's clothes, men's clothes, outfits for children, footwear and accessories. At that, currently Louis Vuitton doesn’t operate only in luxury segment - they have expanded their influence to pret-a-porter.

The rich and famous first started talking about Saint-Tropez when at the end of the 19th century Guy de Maupassant paid a visit there. French author, famous for his non-judgmental realism, wrote about the warm beauty of Saint-Tropez, mentioning ‘sardine scales glistening like pearls on the cobblestones’...

American Detroit was until recently known as the automotive capital. But nowadays it is more often than not mentioned in the context of decline and population outflow. Outlook decided to figure out why ghost cities emerge.

More than fifteen hundred years ago Romans were awe struck when they caught the very first sight of the Sistine Chapel. After that masters of painting were born and dead as well as whole pictural art styles. And contemporaries of you and me gape on the distinguished temple. However, while admiring another line intricacy and allusive painting theme, bear in mind that beneath the plot of glossy surface, as per usual, stand painfully familiar disputes with an impatient client, unpleasant surprises from nature and damaged health of painters-executants.

They become the place for the coolest parties, source of extraordinary ideas and unpredictable discoveries. Nowadays whole houses, temples, gardens, pools and stadiums reach peaks of their popularity – all of them on tops of buildings.

"A small territory with a great mission" is the motto under which on February 11, 1929 Lateran Treaty between the Kingdom of Italy and the Holy See recognized Vatican as a sovereign territory. It was an agreement which opened doors for curious patrons who for centuries had been trading gossip about "What is kept inside Vatican castles?". Evil tongues grumbled that the walled enclave protected magic books of how to seize the world, the castle’s cellars hide torture chambers for sinners, and after liturgies alchemists are busy inventing the Philosopher's Stone. But when museums welcomed visitors, both guests and the Romans gasped with delight. Collectors estimated that the cost of all the works of art featured by almost the smallest country in the world, is 150 times more than the world's GDP.

Seoul of South Korea that blisteringly turned from an ancient city of a poor country into a prospering capital of an advanced state over 20th century, definitely deserves respect; as much esteem is earned by those municipal officials and patriots who, in times of explosive industrialization, managed to preserve glorious heritage of the past – royal palaces of Joseon dynasty.

He made up his name to be one of a kind. Riot of his selfhood became the basis for enormous artistic heritage while architecture demonstrated the possibility to combine ecological compatibility with modern technologies.

After having spent merely an hour for a flight from Kiev, I suddenly realized I reached the city where continental Europe’s oldest subway is situated. And things that Budapest underground is famous for are not limited to this. OUTLOOK sets on a trip around metropolitan of one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Want to go down?

The Embassy of Palestine in Ukraine and personally Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Mohammed Al-Assad organized a trip for journalists to Palestine. OUTLOOK team was among them. We launch a series of videos about this country and start with Bethlehem!

They build ice hotels and carve ice fountains pouring white wine, make samovars and even kerosene lamps. Photographers went even far and got the hand to use dry ice to create the effect of smoke and fog in picture. In search of more and more sophisticated ways to use frozen water, humanity almost forgot about another fascinating feature it suggests. So, dig into your wardrobes and find lovely hats with pompoms, fluffy "ears", scarves, mittens, sweaters and... skates. In the spirit of holidays, OUTLOOK prepared for you a selection of the world most popular ice arenas.

Icerink instead of heated floor. Bomber hat and a puffer jacket as an alternative to terry robe. Eco-hotels and cafes in Canada, Romania and even hot Dubai offer a possibility to have leisure time a-la North Pole.

Each one has own notion of a perfect rest: some need ocean, beach and an exotic cocktail for a perfect relaxation; others are drawn to conquer new mountain peaks; some people live in anticipation of acquaintance of ancient ruins… But there are people who dream of cutting loose at full throttle, forgetting everything and anything else!

Anton Sak moved to France so as to get high education. During several years he has been studying at Chemistry Faculty of Le Mans Université. Today he will tell us about Le Mans, the wonderful old French city with the special brightness. It is unknown for tourists; however, it is the interesting destination in the route of avid traveler.

Autumn promises that heat would gradually fade away and immediately presents with a choice: either to clutch at stewing days in warm countries or taste cool evenings and admire architecture without being distracted by sultriness.

The word is, Guy de Maupassant hated Eiffel Tower. The famous writer believed that it was uglifying the face of Paris without benefiting the city. Nevertheless, he could be often seen in a cozy cafe on the top of the construction. In such cases the author of “Bel Ami” used to say that “it was the only way the damned tower dropped out of his sight…”